Can Reflexive Governance Deliver Integrated Water Resources Management Outcomes in Bangladesh?

Abstract

The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a continuous process which has emerged as an international policy discourse to address the issue of sustainable water development and management. There is also criticism over the excessive emphasis on the usage of the terminology 'IWRM'. Despite criticism, it is argued by many that IWRM could be a way forward to tackle the crisis of water management. The objective of this thesis is to find a 'reflexive solution' to overcome the obstacles in implementing the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles in Bangladesh using a multi-disciplinary management approach. The findings of the study may be useful for Bangladesh as well other countries to progress implementation of IWRM principles. The practical implementation of IWRM espoused by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and many others would be difficult in many countries including Bangladesh with the existing structure of the governance of the water resource management. IWRM concepts encompass social, political, economic, environmental and cultural aspects of water, land and the community. Implementation of the principles of IWRM in countries like Bangladesh needs a 'reflexive approach' and would face political and resource constraint challenges. It is widely perceived that integration of IWRM principles is possible through reflexive and adaptive water institutions with a multi-disciplinary approach. It is difficult to implement IWRM based on the foundation of 'less integrated' and certainly less 'reflexive' structure for water resources policy planning and management. The research question has been put forward as 'Can 'reflexive governance' help deliver IWRM outcomes in Bangladesh?'